Structural building unit



Oct. 20, .1931. I BERGER 1,828,309

STRUCTURAL BUILDING UNIT Filed Aug. 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l Oct. 20, 1931. 6/5. BER-GER 1,828,309

STRUCTURAL BUILDING UNI T Filed Aug. 9: 1929 :s Sheets-Sheet 2 ZrMW//% 5. E 552175!" Oct. 20, 1931. BERGER 1,828,309

STRUCTURAL BUILDING UNIT Filed Aug. 9, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 4\ L r 4 7| 5 g L-z 12 i w w i@ J? T 7 i 15 /aa/d v fjj' 55.55. 275? p yaz a,

Fatented Oct. 20, 1931 PATENT OFFICE UNITED STATES eraser I; We Ii-IYE S 'WESCQNSIN gTBUQTUEAL BUILDING: UNIT Application filed August 9, 1929, Serial No. 384,770.

This invention relates to new and useful imgrovements in structural building units, 'ne of the objects of this invention is to produce a means of assembling various unit sections of wood, metal, or other material again to be utilized for other purposes and applications. a

Another object of the invention s to present a set, or' a construction set of units which will lend itself to the building of a specified type, or a variety of models of takedown playhouses, birdhouses, loghouses, bridges, chests, boxes, toy furniture, furniture, and toys of various designs. It is also a major purpose to furnish a set of units which can be assembled into a special design of birdhouse, or a set which will build 'a variety of models of birdhouses which when completed maybe utilized as a home for nesting birds.

Still another object is the unique features employed in the methods involved in constructing projects whereby these structural unitswill to my mind stimulate an interest 7 in the minds of children and add to their .in embodied educational welfare by developing their motor-minds, their powers of visualization, and act as an aid to their creative instinct by iving them materials which can be utilized in building with relatively the same steps as those followed in modern building practice.

-T'Vith the above objects in view as stated, and the further objects brought to view as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the assembling and combinations of parts and in the details of construction there and hereinafter claimed as the description proceeds; it being further understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention as described are possible, for the fasteners and units described can be used for a variety of needs, or in any case where a method-of joining parts, holding them in contact, holding them in alignment, suspending them, or where holding them rig-idis necessary, within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a toy house constructed in accordance with my structural building units; 7 V

Figure 2 is a detail transverse section illustrating the mounting of the window frames;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the window frames with paits thereof broken away and 60 illustrated in section; I t

Figure 4 is a detailed transverse section through the door structure;

Figure 5 is a transverse section ,of the lower portion of the window frame;

Figure 6 is an end elevation of the building disclosed in Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a plan view of the building with the roof portion removed;

Figure 7A is an alternative form illustrating the manner of connecting the side parts fort-he walls of the buiiding;

Figure 8 is a detail view illustrating a modified type of corner fastener;

Figure 9 is a detail section illustrating the manner of connecting cylindrical units for construction of round receptacles and also as an alternative roof structure;

Figure 10 illustrates in plan -view another form for constructing circular receptacles, as well as roof members;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of one of the members shown in Figure 10, illustrating the connecting elements, showing how the sections can be secured together.

In the carrying out of my invention, I provide structural buil'dingunits which may be of different sizes and shapes and includes different types of fastening members for connecting the building units together'in such manner as to form different types of strucbe used.

The majority of units which are used in the construction of different toy structures as well as useful structures, comprise substantially fiat board-like members 1 which ma be of any length and of various widths, and in forming these members, it is also well to have a number of them which are indicated at 2 that are cut at an angle at each end in order to form the gable of house construction, as shown in Figure 6. These units generally indicated at 1, as stated heretofore, are of different lengths in order to fill in the side walls between the windows and door structures, as well as for other purposes.

In fastening these units 1 together in order to form the side walls of the structure, I provide fastening members 3 which are of different lengths, according to the height of building required and are preferably U- shaped in form, as shown at Figure 7, with the side walls thereof tapered inwardly toward each other, as shown at 4. These tapered side ortions 4 are adapted to fit within angular y disposed saw cut-out portions 5 whereby when the fastening members 3 are placed in position over a number of the units, these units will be securely held against movement.

In the construction of the window frames, I provide a number of U-shaped members 6 which are adapted to fit over the unit members 1 at the top and the sides of the window frame, while the lower or sill portion of the window has a lateral extension 7', and if it is desired to form the window opening in sections, I provide cross members 8 having laterally turned end portions 9 which pass through the frame sections 6, and are bent over, as shown in Figure 3, in order to hold the frame sections in place.

The door frame is also formed of the U- sha ed members 6 at the top and at the sides wit one of the side members generally indicated at 6a, has loops 10 struck out therefrom in order to form pintle receiving members for receiving laterally disposed pintles 11 on the door 12. The door 12 may carry a handle member 13 having a latch 14.

From the above, it will be apparent that in constructing doors and window frames, the Ushaped members 6, and 6a are used in forming the frame structure and these members can be made in different lengths in order to fit different sized window and door openings.

In Figure 7, I have illustrated one type of corner fastener which includes a substantially V-shaped body 15 having laterally disposed side portions 16 which are to be fitted mto angular notches 17 sawed in the outer portion of the side wall boards whereby these corner members 15 can be slid into the cut-out slits to retain the side wall members against movement. Another form of corner fastener is illustrated in Figure 8, wherein the V- shaped body 15 has angularly disposed end portions 16 which are positioned directly opposite the member 16, as shown in Figure 7, and are particularly adapted for use in connecting a partition wall to one of the side walls of the building. In fastening the corner of a log house where logs project at the corners, fastener 15 may be adopted to fasten the corner from the inside. These angularly disposed end portions 16 are also adapted to be fitted into cut-out recesses 17 and the device is used in the same manner as the corner fasteners shown in Figure 7.

In Figure 7A, I have illustrated a modified form of wall fastener which includes a substantially V-shaped member 3 with the side portions thereof disposed at an angle, as shown at 4, and adapted to be fitted within cut-out slits 5, the slits being cut-out of the side walls in divergent relation instead of the convergent relation, as shown in Figure 7, and indicated at 5.

In securing a porch to the front of the house, as shown in Figure 6, I provide the uprights 18 which form the front supporting posts of the porch and front uprights 19 which support the side rails 20 of the porch. The members 18, 19 and 20 are connected together by angular pieces 21 which have laterally disposed ends 22 at one end of each piece so as to securely hold these pieces in the wood. The floor of the porch is constructed of the unit members 1 and are connected to the uprights 18 and 19 by means of substantially V-shaped members 23.

The roof of the porch is also constructed of unit members 1 and are connected by means of U-shaped fasteners 24. These fasteners 24 have their longitudinal sides slidably mounted in cut-out portions formed in the units and each have one end downturned as shown at 25 and the other end upturned, as shown at 26, and the downturned end 25 being adapted to fit within a suitable opening within the body of the house and engage the inner face of the front wall, as shown at Figure 6.

The front upturned end 26 extends upwardly a distance equal to the thickness of the roof units and securely holds the roof units against movement as they are disposed on an inclined plane, as shown at Figure 6.

In forming roofs for a house of this type, I provide U-shaped channel members 27. One of the side walls, preferably the side wall on the upper portion of the roof units is formed with an annularly disposed flange 28 fitted into the cut-out part 29 adjacent each end of each of the roof units, whereby to securely retain the roof units against movement. At the lower end of each member 27 I provide a lateral tongue 29 which abuts the lower edge of the lowermost roof units, thus retaining the roof units against lateral movement. The upper ends of the members 27 are provided with perforated tongues 30 which receive the connecting pin 31 whereby two sections of the roof are pivotally connected to gether and may be removed or replaced on the building at any time.

In forming waste baskets and other articles where it is preferred to have a substantially cylindrical article, I use a plurality of cylindrical units 32 having openings 33 there through to receive the flexible retaining mem ber 34; which is fed through the openings and secured at each end. These units 32 may be all cylindrical or partly cylindrical as required.

Another form similar to the form shown in Figure 9 whereby circular structures can be produced as well as flexible roof portions, resides in the unit members 35 having divergent slits 36 receiving the flanges 37 on the loop parts 38.

From this structure it will be apparent that various types of articles can be constructed, as the loop members 38 can be quickly fitted into the slits 36 of the units 35 or removed therefrom.

While I have shown and described the essential parts of my structural building units, it will be apparent that great many variations can be produced along the same idea in order to form difierent structures. Another feature which I desire to call attention is the manner in which the corner members 15 fasten the roof parts in place. The upper end of each corner post is provided with a laterally disposed tongue adapted to be positioned between one of the roof units and extended parallel with the outer face of the roof units, as shown at 39 thus securely holding the roof units in position, on a building. The different parts can be made in different sizes and of different lengths according to the types of structures to be built from the units, and it will also be noted that the members 24 are used for securing the filler portion of the porch together.

These improved building units can be used in the construction of various types of articles; such as, toys and the like, as well as for the construction of useful articles.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that slight changes may be made in the construction when putting the invention into practice without departing from the spirit of the same or the scope of the appended claim.

I claim:

In structural building units, a plurality of co-mating units having angularly disposed cut out portions adapted to align when the pieces are arranged in juxtaposition, U shaped members having their flanges adapted to be received within said recesses, and transverse stop lugs carried by the ends of said U-shaped members.

In testimony that I claim the foregoingI have hereunto set my hand at Two Rivers, 1n the county of Manitowoc and State of Wis-' consin.

GEORGE E. BERGER. 

